Dispensing mechanism



Dec. 3, 1957 JENK'NS 2,815,147

DISPENSING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 19, 1956 IN VENTORS-JOE -H. JENKINS WILLIAM P. ROCHELLE ATTORNEY D 3 J. H. JENKINS EIALDISPENSING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 19, 1956 INVENTORS JoeH. Jenkins William P. Rochelle ATTORNEY Dec. 3, 1957 JENKINS 2,815,147

DISPENSING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 19, 1956 fllnl'lrl..."Illll-lI- l' liiilll INVENTORS Joe H. Jenkins William P.Rochelle Dec. 3, 1957 JENKINS 2,815,147

. DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed March 19. 1 956 I 4 Shets-Sheet 4 5 IINVENTORS 7 JOE H. JENKINS WILLIAM P. ROCHELLE v ATTORNEY Unite StatesPatent DISPENSING MECHANISM Joe H. Jenkins and William P. Rochelle,Memphis, Tenn.

Application March 19, 1956, Serial No. 572,364

15 Claims. (Cl. 22189) This invention relates to dispensing machanism.

An important object of the invention is to provide dispensing or vendingapparatus for articles, such as newspapers or the like, and includingmanually operable means for use by the customer for causing dispensingof the newspapers one at a time.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and simplifiedmeans for supporting a stack of newspapers within the apparatus, andnovel mechanism for ejecting the individual newspaper supporting means,whereby the newspapers are dispensed in sequence from the bottom of thestack and the individual supporting means pass to a collection point inthe bottom of the apparatus.

A further object is to provide dispensing mechanism of theabove-mentioned character, including means to prevent unauthorizedmovement or ejection of the lowermost newspaper supporting element, whenthe ejection arms are in the rearmost or retracted positions.

A further object is to provide a cabinet type dispenser for newspapersor the like, including a vertically swingable front closure member,having parts which coact in a novel manner with vertical guides for theindividual newspaper supporting elements, said parts of the closuremember serving to cover the normally open sides of the guides when theclosure member is in a vertical position, and the closure member therebypreventing displacement of the newspaper supporting elements from theguides.

Still another object is to provide ejection means for the individualnewspaper supporting elements which will function to support the nextuppermost newspaper supporting element, while ejecting the lowermostsupporting element.

Another object of the invention is to provide dispensing mechanism ofthe above-mentioned character which is compact and simplified inconstruction, sturdy and durable, reliable and efiicient in operationand relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description.

In the drawings, we have shown one preferred embodiment of theinvention. In this showing,

Figure l is a perspective View of newspaper dispensing mechanismembodying the present invention,

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the mechanism with parts broken away,and parts omitted,

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Figure2,

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on line4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section showing oneejection arm in the forward or ejecting position,

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 6-6of Figure 4,

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one ejection armin the forward position and showing the ejection of one newspapersupporting element while the next uppermost supporting element is beingsupported by the ejection arm,

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 88 ofFigure 3, and showing the dispensing of a newspaper and the descendingof a supporting element to the bottom of the mechanism, and

Figure 9 is a perspective View of one T-shaped newspaper supportingelement removed from the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 15 designates generally a cabinetbody portion of rectangular form, which may be constructed from sheetmetal, or the like. The cabinet body portion 15 comprises end walls 16,front and rear walls 17 and 18 and a bottom or floor 19, as shown. Thetop of the cabinet 15 may be formed open, if desired, in which case thecabinet is provided with a removable lid or top 20, as indicated.However, if preferred, the top 20 may be rigidly and permanently securedto the cabinet body portion.

A pair of upper horizontal rigid frame members or bars 21 and 22 areprovided, near and inwardly of the opposite end walls 16, and theseframe bars have their rear ends suitably rigidly secured by welding orthe like to the rear wall 18, the frame bars 21 and 22 being spacedsomewhat below the top of the cabinet body portion as shown in Figures 2and 4. The forward end of the frame bar 21 is rigidly secured to thefront wall 17 of the cabinet body portion, and the corresponding end ofthe bar 22 is preferably rigidly secured to the near end wall 16, aswill be further explained. A lower pair of horizontal rigid frame barsor members 23 and 24 are spaced a substantial distance below the bars 21and 22, in vertical alignment therewith, and near the vertical center ofthe cabinet body portion. The rear ends of the frame bars 23 and 24 arerigidly secured in any suitable manner to the rear wall 18, as shown.The forward end of the bar 23 is rigidly secured to the front wall 17,Figure 3, and the corresponding end of the bar 24 terminates short ofthe front wall 17, as at 25, Figure 3, and carries a short transverseextension 26, rigidly secured thereto, said extension being rigidlyconnected at 27 to the adjacent end wall 16. The connection of theforward end of the upper horizontal bar 22 with the adjacent end wall 16may be identical with the arrangement shown at 26 and 27, Figure 3, forconnecting the lower bar 24 with the end wall 16. Likewise, the forwardend of the upper horizontal bar 21 may be secured to the front wall 17in the same manner that the corresponding end of the lower bar 23 issecured to the front wall 17, Figure 3.

Near and inwardly of the front wall 17, and arranged adjacent to theinner faces of the upper and lower pairs of horizontal frame bars 21,22, 23 and 24, are a pair of vertical angle bars or guides 23 and 29,rigidly secured by welding or the like to the inner faces of thehorizontal frame bars 21, 22, 23 and 24. The angle bars 28 and 29 extendfrom the tops of the horizontal frame bars 21 and 22 to points somewhatbelow the horizontal bars 23 and 24, see Figures 2 and 4. The lower endsof the angle bars 23 and 29 are spaced a considerable distance above thefloor 19, and the angle bars 28 and 29 are bodily supported or carriedby the pairs of horizontal bars 21 and 23 and 22 and 24, as shown. Theangle bars 28 and 29 are L-shaped in cross section, Figure 3, and havetheir forward sides and their opposed inner sides entirely open,throughout their lengths. The rear sides of the angle bars 28 and 29 andtheir outer sides are closed, as shown in the drawings. The top ends ofthe angle bars 28 and 29 may be open, but their lower ends are closed byhorizontal plates or webs 3t), rigidly secured thereto by welding or thelike. The plates or webs 30 are rectangular, Figure 5, and theirmarginal edges terminate flush with the longitudinal edges of theL-shaped angle bars,

Figure 5 The front wall 17 of cabinet body portion 15 has a largerectangular opening 31, as shown, receiving a large vertically swingablerectangular front closure member or door 32. The door 32 is provided atits end nearest the lefthand end wall 16, Figure 1, with a rearwardlyprojecting flange 33, integral therewith, the flange 33 being disposedadjacent to a companion rearwardly projecting flange 34, formed integralwith the front wall 17, or rigidly secured thereto. A bolt or hingeelement 35 serves to hingedly connect the lower end of the flange 33with the stationary flange 34, as shown by Figures 3 and 5. At its otherend, the door 32 has a rearwardly projecting extension or flange 36rigidly secured thereto,

and arranged opposite a companion flange 37, in turn rigidly secured tothe front wall 17, Figure 3. A bolt or hinge element 38 serves tohingedly secure the lower end of the flange 36 to the flange 37 of thecabinet body portion. It is thus seen that the door 32 is hinged to thecabinet body portion 15 at its lower end, and the door is adapted toswing vertically about the hinge means 35 and 38 from its vertical orclosed position shown in the drawings to a generally horizontal openedposition, wherein the door 32 will project forwardly of the cabinet bodyportion 15.

As shown in Figure 2, the vertical flange 36 of door 32 extends for theentire height of the door, and the flange extends rearwardlysubstantially to the forward open side of the vertical angle bar 28,Figures 2 and 3. At its rear edge, the flange 36 has a laterallyinwardly projecting extension 39 formed integral therewith, and theextension 39 is disposed directly opposite and close to the forward openside of the angle bar 28, when the door 32 is in the vertical or closedposition. The extension 39 is substantially the same width as thevertical angle bar 28, so as to close or cover substantially entirelythe forward open side of the same. As shown in Figure 2, the extension39 extends for substantially the entire length of the angle bar 28, butthe flange 36 and the extension 39 have their lower ends terminatingslightly above the web or plate 30 of angle bar 28, as indicated at 40,Figure 2. This arrangement provides a small open or uncovered passagethrough the forward side of the angle bar 28, just above its bottomhorizontal web 30, for a purpose to be described. Otherwise, when thedoor 32 is in the closed position, the forward open side of the anglebar 28 is covered or closed by the extension 39.

Near and inwardly of its opposite end, the door 32 has a rearwardlyextending flange 41, similar to the flange 36 rigidly secured thereto,and disposed inwardly of the frame bars 22 and 24. The rear end of theflange 41 terminates just forwardly of the angle bar 29, and such rearend has an integral lateral extension 42, extending throughout itsentire length, Figure 4, and disposed directly opposite the forward openside of the vertical angle bar 29, for covering such side when the door32 is vertically disposed. The extension 42 extends throughoutsubstantially the entire length of the angle bar 29, Figure 4, but theflange 41 and extension 42 have their lower ends terminating slightlyabove the bottom web 30 of angle bar 29, Figure 4. as indicated at 43.The arrangement is the same as that described above in connection withthe other angle bar 28, and a small portion of the forward side of anglebar 29, just above the web 30 is left uncovered when the door 32 is inclosed position. When the door 32 is swung forwardly or opened, theflanges 39 and 42 swing away from the angle bars 28 and 29, and theforward sides of the latter are then entirely uncovered.

With further reference to the door 32, in order to facilitate displayingthe front sheet of one newspaper, or the like, the door is provided witha large rectangular transparent panel or window 44, suitably rigidlymounted therein. Rearwardly of the transparent panel 44, the door has asuitable holding structure 45 for a single newspaper mounted thereon, insuch a manner that the newspaper for the day may be placed between thepanel 44 and holding structure 45 or readily removed therefrom when thedoor 32 is open. This display feature of the invention may be omittedentirely, if preferred.

It may also be mentioned here that suitable means are provided forlocking the door 32 in the vertical or closed position, and such meansmay be in the form of a padlock 46, as indicated generally in Figure 1.Any other preferred form of lock for the door 32 may be used however.

At the elevation of the bottom webs 30 of the vertical angle bars 28 and29, a horizontal platform or table 47 is arranged within the cabinetbody portion 15 and suitably rigidly secured to the rear wall 18, as at48, Figure 4. This table 47 extends forwardly from the rear wall 18 aconsiderable distance, and also extends lengthwise of the cabinet bodyportion for substantially the full distance between the vertical anglebars 28 and 29, as shown in Figure 3. The forward edge of the horizontaltable 47 has forwardly extending and downwardly inclined panels orslides 49 integrally secured thereto, and the forward ends of the panels49 terminate a slight distance rearwardly of the angle bars 28 and 29and somewhat below their lower ends, as shown. The forward ends of thepanels 49 are rigidly supported by vertical integral extensions 50,formed thereon, and extending to the floor 19, and preferably rigidlysecured thereto. Intermediate vertical legs or braces 51 for theinclined panels 49 may be provided, as required.

As clearly shown in the drawings, a relatively large passage or slot 52is formed between the inner edges of the inclined panels 49, and therear end 53 of this slot terminates at or near the forward side of thehorizontal table 47. The slot 52 forms within the cabinet 15, andbetween the panels 49 and between their supporting portions 50 and thefront wall of the cabinet, a substantially T-shaped passage 54, as bestshown in Figure 3. This T-shaped passage 54 is below the lower ends ofthe vertical angle bars 28 and 29.

Individual T-shaped separators or supporting elements 55 for thenewspapers 56 within the apparatus are provided. Each element 55comprises a forward elongated bar 57 which extends lengthwise of thecabinet body portion 15 for the full distance between the vertical anglebars 28 and 29, Figure 3, the opposite end portions of the bar 57extending into the inner open sides of the vertical angle bars andterminating close to their outer closed sides, as shown. Each bar 57 maybe inverted U-shaped in cross section, as indicated. Each T-shapedelement 55 further comprises a central rearwardly extending portion orbar 58, overlying the slot 52 and being somewhat narrower than the slot52, as shown. The forward end of each bar 58 is rigidly secured orformed integral with the bar 57, at the longitudinal center of thelatter. The arrangement is such that when the end portions of the crossbars 57 are within the angle bars 28 and 29, Figure 3, the rear endportions of the bars 58 are projecting rearwardly of the rear edge 53 ofslot 52, in overlying or superposed relation to the horizontal table 47.

The T-shaped elements 55 serve in the apparatus as separators andindividual supports for the flat newspapers 56 of the stack ofnewspapers. When the apparatus is stocked with newspapers, the door 32is opened, and the flange extensions 39 and 42 move away from theforward open sides of the vertical angle bars 28 and 29. One of theT-shaped elements 55 is now introduced into the apparatus through theforward opening 31, and the ends of its forward cross bar 57 are placeddirectly upon the bottom web's 30 of the angle bars 28 and 29. The rearend portion of the bar 58 of this first element 55 rests directly uponthe horizontal table 47, and the single element 55 is now horizontallysupported.

A stack of newspapers is now introduced through the forward opening 31and placed upon the single horizontal element 55. This supports thestack of newspapers and maintains them spaced above the inclined slides49, in horizontal positions, Figure 4. The other T-shaped elements 55which have collected in the bottom of the apparatus, Figure 4, are nowintroduced rearwardly between the individual newspapers 56 of the stack,Fig ure 4, so that each newspaper is separated from adjacent newspapersof the stack, and individually supported by one of the elements 55. Allof the elements 55 have the ends of their cross bars 57 arrangeddirectly over the bottom webs 30, Figures 3 and 4. The rear end portionsof the bars 58 of all of the T-shaped elements 55 are disposed directlyabove the horizontal table 47, when the elements 55 are in stackedrelation with the newspapers 56. The newspapers 56 substantially coverthe elements 55 below them, and the newspapers project somewhatforwardly of the cross bars 57, as shown in Figure 4. The newspapers 56extend for substantially the entire length of the table 47. The stack ofnewspapers and elements 55 may extend above the table 47 tosubstantially the tops of the angle bars 28 and 29.

When the stack of newspapers 56 and supporting elements 55 are arrangedproperly within the apparatus, the door 32 is closed and locked, and theflange extensions 39 and 42 again cover the forward open sides of theangle bars 28 and 29, so that the cross bars 57 cannot shift forwardlyfrom their positions directly above the webs 36. The angle bars 28 and29 and the respective extensions 39 and 42 form vertical guides orpassages for the cross bars 57 of the elements 55. The bars 58 cannotshift transversely upon the table 47 because of the nearness of the endsof the cross bars 57 to the outer closed sides of the angle bars 28 and29.

Elevated horizontal supporting ledges 59 are rigidly mounted upon theouter sides of the inclined panels 49, and preferably formed integraltherewith. Pairs of bearings 60 are rigidly secured to the tops of theledges 59, with their horizontal bores in alignment for receivinghorizontal reciprocatory arms or shafts 61, which are parallel with theslot 52 and disposed rearwardly of the angle bars 28 and 29 adjacenttheir lower ends. The rear ends of the shafts 61 terminate somewhatforwardly of the rear wall 18, and are pivotally connected at 62 withvertically swingable cranks 63, which are in turn rigidly secured to ahorizontal rock shaft 64, extending at right angles to the shafts 61,and journaled within bearings 65, dependingly secured to the bottom ofthe horizontal table 47. The opposite ends of the rock shaft 64 extendbeyond the opposite ends of the table 47, as shown, and the right handend of the rock shaft 64 projects outwardly of or beyond the bar 23, asshown in Figure 3. The arrangement is such that turning of the rockshaft 64 will swing the cranks 63 for shifting or reciprocating theshafts 61 forwardly and rearwardly within the bearings 60.

A crank 66 is rigidly secured to the end of the rock shaft 64 beyond thebar 23, Figure 3, and the upper end of this crank is pivotally connectedat 67 to the rear end of a connecting link 68, having its forward endpivoted at 69 to a reciprocatory pull rod 70, operating within a fixedhorizontal guide 71, rigidly secured within the front wall 17, near theright hand end of the cabinet 15, Figure 1. The pull rod 76 issurrounded by a compressible coil spring 72, having its forward endbearing against the fixed guide 71, and its rear end engaging the pivotelement or pin 69. The spring 72 thus urges the pull rod '70 andassociated elements rearwardly, thereby normally holding the shafts 61in rearward or retracted positions, as shown for example in Figure 2.The forward end of the pull rod 70 carries a suitable knob 73 which isgrasped to pull the rod 70 and associated elements forwardly, forshifting the shafts 61 horizontally forwardly. When the knob 73 isreleased, the spring 72 will automatically return the shafts 61 to theirrearward or retracted positions.

Rigidly secured to the forward ends of the arms or shafts 61 areelements 74 for ejecting or displacing the individual T-shaped supportor separator elements 55. The elements 74 comprise rear transverseportions 75 which are directly rigidly secured to the forward ends ofshafts 61. These portions 75 are arranged directly rearwardly of theclosed sides of the angle bars 28 and 29, as shown, and the portions 75project somewhat above the bottoms of the angle bars so as to engage thesame in the extreme forward positions of the elements 74, Figures 2 and5. The ejection elements 74 further comprise inner relatively shortforwardly projecting fingers or portions 76, rigid with the portions 75and arranged just inwardly of the open inner sides of the vertical anglebars 28 and 29, Figures 3 and 5. The arrangement is such that when theshafts 61 and their ejection elements 7 4 are advanced by pullingtheknob 73, that the forward ends of the fingers 76 will engage thelowermost cross bar 57 and push the same forwardly and off of thehorizontal webs 30 which support it.

The ejection elements 74 further comprise outer relatively longhorizontal extensions 77, integral with the portions 75 and arrangedjust outwardly of the outer closed sides of the angle bars 28 and 29, soas to clear the same when reciprocated with the shafts 61. The forwardends of the extensions 77 carry inwardly directed transverse extensionsor plates 78, rigid therewith, and disposed in advance of the openforward sides of the angle bars 28 and 29, and just under the loweredges 40 and 43 of the respective nanges 36,- 39, 41 and 42. Thearrangement is such that when the arms 61 are in their rearmostretracted positions, the forward transverse plates 78 will contact andcover the small forward open portions of the angle bars 23 and 29, justabove the webs 30 and between such Webs and the lower edges 40 and 43 ofthe movable door flanges. This construction renders it impossible for anindividual to reach under the lower end of the door 32. and dislodge orpull forwardly the lowermost newspaper supporting element 55 when thearms 61 are in the rear retracted positions.

It may be mentioned here that the ejection mechanism for the Tshapedelements 55, including the pull rod 70 and associated parts will operatein conjunction with a conventional coin controlled device or unit, notshown, which may be suitably mounted upon the cabinet body portion 15.This coin controlled mechanism will serve to lock the ejection arms 61with their elements 74 in the rearrnost or retracted positions, Figures2 and 4, wherein the forward plates 78 will cover and protect the loweropen portions of the angle bars 28 and 29, just above the supportingwebs 36 and just under the door flanges 36, 39, 41 and 42. As is wellknown, when the coin is placed within the coin controlled mechanism, thearms 61 and pull rod 76 are released so that they may be advanced bypulling the knob 73, to effect the ejection of the lowermost element 55and the lowermost newspaper will be dispensed to the customer.

As best illustrated in Figure 7, when the ejection elements 74 areadvanced so that the fingers 76 eject or push the lowermost cross bar 57from the webs 30, simultaneously, the fingers 76 will pass beneath theend portions of the next uppermost cross bar 57 and support the sameduring the ejection of the lowermost T-shaped elements 55. Whilesupported by the fingers 76, as shown in Figure 7, the next uppermostcross bar 57 is maintained above the lowermost edges or ends of thecovering flanges 39 and 42, so that it is impossible during the ejectionof the lowermost element 55 for the next uppermost element 55 to bedisplaced 0r ejected. After the arms 61 are again retracted from theirejecting positions, Figure 7, the fingers 76 pass out from under thenext uppermost cross bar 57, and such cross bar instantly drops intocontact with the webs 30 which support it, the rear ends of the bars 58of elements 55 always being supported by the table 47 or by thenewspaper under the bar 58. As soon as the next uppermost bar 57 thusgravitates to the webs 30, the plates 78 will cover the open forwardportions or sides of the vertical angle bars 28 and 29 below thecovering flanges 39 and 42, and the arms 61 will again be locked intheir retracted positions, and it will be impossible to reach into theapparatus from below the door 32 and pull out a newspaper or itssupporting element 55.

Near and inwardly of the opposite ends of the cabinet body portion, andsubstantially directly under the lower ends of the vertical angle bars28 and 29 are disposed a pair of downwardly and rearwardly inclinedcurved track sections or guides 79 and 80. These track sections aresuitably rigidly connected with the cabinet floor portion 19, below thedoor 32 through the medium of their supports 81 and 82, Figures 2 and 4.The purpose of the track sections 79 and 80 is to catch or engage theend portions of the cross bars 57, as they drop from the supporting Webs30, after ejection by the elements 74. The track sections 79 and 80 thenurge or guide the T-shaped elements 55 rearwardly so that they will tendto pile up or be stacked upon the floor 19, somewhat rearwardly of thetrack sections 79 and 30, as shown in Figure 4, for example.

An inclined panel extension 83 is formed at the bottom of the frontopening 31, below the lower end of the door 32, and below the tracksections 79 and 80*, as shown. The panel extension 83 is generally inalignment with the inclined slides or panels 49, whereby the newspapersupon falling to the slides 49 will tend to move forwardly and onto thepanel extension 83, where the customer may readily pick up the paper.

Operation The vertically swinging door 32 may be opened to a generallyhorizontal position for uncovering the open forward sides of thevertical angle bars 28 and 29'. When this has been done, a singleT-shaped element 55 is arranged as in Figure 3, with the opposite endsof its cross bar 57 resting directly upon the bottom webs 3t), and therear end of its bar 58 resting upon the table 47. The stack ofnewspapers 56 is now placed upon the single element 55, and theremainder of the elements 55 are now inserted between the newspapers ofthe stack, as has been previously described in detail. When thealternately stacked newspapers and elements 55 are properly within theapparatus, and the door 32 is closed, the transparent window 44 willdisplay the front sheet of a single newspaper, as previously explained.

The operator or customer new places a coin in the coin controlledmechanism, not shown, and this will unlock the ejection mechanismincluding the pull rod 70 and associated elements. The knob 73 is pulledforward by the customer, and through the medium of the pull rod and thecrank 66, the rock shaft 64 is turned upon its longitudinal axis, andthe cranks 63 will advance the shafts 61 forwardly with the ejectionelements '74 to the position shown in Figure 5. When this occurs, theejection fingers 76 of the elements 74 will engage the cross bar 57 ofthe lowermost T-shaped element 55 and push or eject the same from thesupporting webs 30. The rear end of the lowermost bar 58 will also moveforwardly and pass over the rear edge 53 of the slot 52. When thisoccurs, the entire lowermost T-shaped element 55 will drop through theT-shaped passage 54, and the cross bar 57 will engage the tracks 79 and80, as previously described, and the element 55 will pass to the floor19, Figures 4 and 8.

When the T-shaped element 55 is thus ejected, the lowermost newspaper 56supported by it will immediately fall onto the slides or panels 49,where it can be readily picked up by the customer, who reaches beneaththe door 32, adjacent to the panel extension 83.

As previously explained in detail, during the ejection of the lowermostelement 55, and the consequent dispensing of the lowermost paper 56, thenext uppermost element 55 is supported by the fingers 76, and only onenewspaper at a time may be dispensed. When the knob 73 is released, thespring 72 automatically returns the ejection shafts 61 and associatedelements to their rearmost positions, Figures 2 and 4, and the coinmechanism will now lock the ejection shafts in the retracted positions.The mechanism is now in condition to dispense the next lowermostnewspaper from the stack, by the ejection of the next lowermost element55, in the manner above described, when the next coin is inserted withinthe coin controlled means, not shown. This mode of operation is repeateduntil all of the newspapers have been dispensed, and all of theseparator and supporting elements 55 have gravitated to the bottom ofthe cabinet, Figure 4.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention, herewith shownand described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, andthat various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

1. A dispenser for newspapers or the like comprising a cabinet bodyportion, table forming means arranged within the cabinet body portion,substantially vertical guide means mounted within the cabinet bodyportion, support means adjacent the bottom of the guide means andarranged substantially at the elevation of the table forming means, aplurality of individual newspaper separator and support elementsincluding parts adapted to engage and be supported by the table formingmeans and said support means, and movable ejection mechanism engageablewith the individual newspaper separator and support elements to ejectthe same from said table forming means and support means, whereby saidelements may pass to the bottom of the cabinet body portion and theindividual newspapers supported thereby pass to the customer.

2. Newspaper dispensing apparatus comprising a cabinet body portionincluding a movable closure member having flanges, a pair of fixed guideelements arranged within the cabinet body portion and having open sidesarranged opposite to said flanges and adapted to be covered thereby whensaid closure member is in closed position, the lower ends of said fixedguide elements being closed and extending below said flanges, wherebylower portions of said open sides of the guide elements remainuncovered, newspaper support and separator elements arranged within thecabinet body portion and having parts engaging the fixed guide elementsand adapted to rest upon the closed lower ends of said guide elements,said flanges preventing forward displacement of all but the lowermostsupport and separator element from the fixed guide elements, movableejection means to engage the lowermost support and separator element andeject the same from the closed lower ends of the fixed guide elements,and newspaper discharge means associated with the cabinet body portionbelow the fixed guide elements and ejection means.

3. Dispensing apparatus for newspapers or the like comprising a cabinetbody portion including a movable closure member, supporting means withinthe cabinet body portion, said supporting means including a portion toreceive and support the newspapers as they are dispensed, movableejection means connected with the supporting means, fixed guide meansmeans carried by the cabinet body portion and having an open sideadapted to be covered by said movable closure member when the same is inclosed position, one end of the fixed guide means extending adjacent themovable ejection means and having an opening, and a plurality ofseparate newspaper support elements engaging said supporting means andfixed guide means, the lowermost support element being engaged by themovable ejection means and moved through said opening of the fixed guidemeans, whereby such support element passes to the bottom of the cabinetbody portion, and the lowermost newspaper passes to said portion of thesupporting means.

4. A dispenser for newspapers or the like comprising a receptacle forthe newspapers having opening means through which the dispensednewspapers may pass, a pair of substantially vertical guide channelsdisposed within the receptacle and having their lower ends closed andhaving side openings near their lower ends, table means within thereceptacle adapted to receive the dispensed newspapers and support themnear said opening means, said table means having a passage formedtherethrough between said guide channels and extending rearwardlythereof, a plurality of substantially T-shaped support and separatorelements for the newspapers including parts ex tending over said passageand engaging the table means, said T-shaped elements also includingcross bars which engage said vertical guide channels and are supportedby the closed lower ends of the channels adjacent said side openings ofthe channels, and manually operable ejection devices arranged near thelower ends of the vertical guide channels and including parts engagingsaid cross bars of the T-shaped elements to eject the same from thechannels through the side openings of the channels, whereby said partsof the T-shaped elements extending over said passages will drop throughthe passages, and the T-shaped elements will pass to the bottom of thereceptacle.

5. A dispenser for newspapers and the like comprising a closed bodyportion having an opening through which newspapers may be dispensed, asupporting table means within the body portion and terminating short ofthe side of the body portion having said opening, said table meanshaving a slot formed therethrough, a pair of substantially verticalguide elements mounted within said body portion and extending above thetable means and having closed lower ends near the elevation of the tablemeans and having side openings above said closed lower ends, a pluralityof separate T-shaped newspaper support elements arranged above saidtable means and having arms resting upon the table means adjacent tosaid slot and extending lengthwise of the slot, said T-shaped elementsalso having cross arms engaging said vertical guide elements on oppositesides of said slot and adapted to rest on the closed lower ends of theguide elements adjacent said side openings of the same, andreciprocatory ejection means associated with said table means near thelower ends of the guide elements and adapted to engage said cross armsand to shift the same through the side openings of the guide elementsand off of the lower closed ends of the guide elements, whereby saidarms resting upon the table means are caused to pass through said slotand the T-shaped elements are thereby passed to the bottom of said bodyportion.

6. In a dispenser for newspapers and the like, a cabinet body portion, asupporting table within the cabinet body portion including an inclinedpart having a slot, a pair of opposed guide channels arranged nearopposite ends of the table and extending above the same and having theirinner sides open, supporting elements secured to the lower ends of theguide channels near the elevation of the table, the guide channelshaving side openings near and above said supporting elements, aplurality of substantially T-shaped newspaper separator and supportingelements adapted to be alternately stacked with said newspapers abovethe table and having end portions resting upon the table over said slotand end portions extending through the open sides of the guide channelsabove the supporting elements of the guide channels, the lowermostT-shaped element resting upon said supporting elements of the guidechannels and said table, a pair of horizontal reciprocatory armsarranged adjacent the lower ends of the guide channels and shiftabletoward and from the guide channels, ejection elements carried by theforward ends of said arms and including fingers to engage the T-shapedelements near the open sides of the guide channels, extensions car- 10ried by the ejection elements and extending forwardly of the guidechannels and covering said side openings of the guide channels neartheir lower ends when said ejection arms are retracted, wherebyunauthorized movement of the lowermost T-shaped element is prevented,and manually operable means for reciprocating said ejection arms.

7. Dispensing mechanism comprising a receptacle having a dischargeopening for the articles to be dispensed, fixed guide means within thereceptacle, supporting means associated with the fixed guide means forreceiving the articles to be dispensed, individual article support andseparator elements engaging the supporting means and the fixed guidemeans and adapted to be ejected in succession from the supporting meansand said guide means, and movable ejection means engageable with saidindividual separator elements for ejecting them from the supporting andguide means and thereby eflecting the dispensing of the individualarticles in succession.

8. A newspaper dispenser comprising a cabinet body portion having a sideopening, a hinged closure member for the side opening and including apair of elongated substantially vertical flanges, a pair ofsubstantially vertical guide elements fixedly mounted within the cabinetbody portion rearwardly of said flanges and having forward open sidescovered by said flanges when the closure member is substantiallyvertically disposed, said vertical guide elements having their inneropposed sides open, a substantially horizontal table member mountedwithin the cabinet body portion near the rear side of the same andsubstantially at the elevation of the lower ends of the guide elements,webs secured to the lower ends of the guide elements and spaced somewhatbelow the lower ends of said flanges of the closure member, spaced apartinclined panels extending forwardly of said table member and below thelower ends of the guide elements and forming between them a passageforwardly of the table member, a plurality of newspaper separator andsupporting elements, said elements including forward cross bars andrearwardly extending bars secured to the cross bars near theirlongitudinal centers, said rearwardly extending bars adapted to havetheir rear ends supported by the table member and extending over saidpassage between said inclined panels, the opposite ends of said forwardcross bars entering the inner open sides of the guide elements andadapted to rest upon said webs below the lower ends of said flanges ofthe closure member, and a pair of horizontally shiftable ejection armsarranged near the lower ends of the guide elements and having parts toengage the lowermost forward cross bar and eject the same forwardly fromsaid webs while simultaneously supporting the next uppermost cross bar,movement of the ejection arms in the opposite direction allowing thenext uppermost cross bar to drop into contact with said webs and to besupported thereby, after the dispensing of the next lowermost newspaper.

9. In a newspaper dispenser, a receptacle having discharge openingmeans, vertical guide means within the receptacle including lower endsupporting parts, supporting table means arranged near the elevation ofsaid supporting parts, separate newspaper supporting elements engagingthe supporting table means and vertical guide means and adapted to restupon said supporting parts of the guide means, substantially horizontalreciprocatory ejection means arranged adjacent the lower ends of theguide means for ejecting said newspaper supporting elements from saidlower end supporting parts, the ejection means including elements toengage the newspaper supporting elements and to push them from the lowerend supporting parts and at the same time supporting the next uppermostnewspaper supporting element, said ejection means also including partswhich prevent displacement of the newspaper supporting elements when theejection means is in a retracted position, and customer operated meansconnected with the ejection means to actuate the latter.

10. In a dispensing mechanism, a substantially vertical guide memberhaving an open side to receive parts to be guided and a closed lower endto support such parts, a plurality of separate article support elementsarranged in stacked relation with the articles and having parts engagingthe guide member and adapted to rest upon the closed lower end of theguide member, a reciprocatory ejection device arranged adjacent thelower end of the guide member and operating substantially at rightangles thereto, said ejection device including a longitudinal fingershiftable across one side of the guide member and into engagement withthe lowermost supporting element for ejecting the same from said closedlower end, the ejection. device including a longitudinal extensionextending adjacent to the opposite side of the guide member andforwardly of the guide member, a transverse plate carried by saidextension and shiftable into close proximity with the forward side ofthe guide member when the ejection device is in the rearmost position,and movable means to efiect reciprocation of the ejection device.

11. A dispenser for newspapers or the like comprising a cabinet bodyportion, a vertically swingable side closure member for the body portionto facilitate stocking the dispenser with newspapers, substantiallyvertical flanges carried by the inner side of the closure member andextending throughout substantially the entire height of the same andspaced rearwardly thereof, substantially L-shaped vertical angle barsarranged rearwardly of and close to said flanges and being substantiallycoextensive therewith and having forward open sides covered by saidflanges when the closure member is in closed vertical position, saidangle bars having their inner opposed sides open, said angle barsextending slightly below said flanges for providing forwardly openingpassages from the angle bars below said flanges, substantiallyhorizontal webs secured to the lower ends of the angle bars below saidflanges, a plurality of newspaper separator and support elementsincluding bars having end portions projecting through the inner opensides of the angle bars rearwardly of said flanges and above said webs,whereby the webs may support the separator and support elements and theangle bars and flanges may guide the same vertically, horizontallymovable ejection arms arranged adjacent the lower ends of the angle barsand having parts engaging said bars of the separator and supportelements to push them from the webs and through said forwardly openingpassages, whereby the separator and support elements successively passto the bottom of the dispenser, and manually operated means connectedwith the ejection arms to move the same.

12. Dispensing apparatus comprising a cabinet body portion, supportmeans within the cabinet body portion and spaced above the bottom of thecabinet body portion, said support means having one side terminatinginwardly of one side of the. cabinet body portion and having a verticalpassage formed therethrough, said passage opening through saidterminating side of the support means, vertical guide means mountedwithin the cabinet body portion and extending above the support meansand spaced forwardly of said terminating side of the support means, aT-shaped article supporting element engaging the support means and thevertical guide means and having a part extending over said passage, andejection mechanism adapted to engage said T-shaped supporting elementfor disengaging the supporting element from said support means andvertical guide means, whereby the T-shaped element will pass to thebottom of the cabinet body portion below said support means and verticalguide means, said part of the T-shaped element passing through thevertical passage of the support means.

13. Dispensing mechanism comprising a body portion, substantiallyvertical guide means mounted within the body portion, support meansarranged near the lower end of the vertical guide means, a plurality ofarticle support and separator elements engaging the support and guidemeans, and movable means near the elevation of the support means andengageable with said support and separator elements for ejecting them insuccession from the support and guide means to thereby effect thedispensing of individual articles in succession.

14. Dispensing apparatus comprising a body portion, vertical guide meansmounted upon the body portion and having lower end supporting parts,support means arranged near the elevation of the supporting parts,separate article supporting elements engaging the support means andvertical guide means and adapted to rest upon said supporting parts ofthe guide means, substantially horizontal reciprocatory ejection meansarranged adjacent the lower ends of the guide means and said lower endsupporting parts, said ejection means including elements to engage eachlowermost article supporting element and to push it from the lower endsupporting parts, said ejection means elements then passing under andsupporting each next uppermost article supporting element while in theejecting position, the ejection means elements passing from beneath eachnext uppermost article supporting element and allowing such element todrop upon the lower end supporting parts when said ejection means isretracted, and manually operated means connected with the ejection meansto operate the same.

15. Dispensing mechanism comprising a pair of substantially verticalguide members having spaced opposed sides which are open and closedlower ends forming supports, a plurality of separate article supportingelements arranged in stacked relation and including bars entering saidopen sides of the vertical guide members above their closed lower ends,the lowermost bar of said supporting elements in the stack restingdirectly upon the closed lower ends of the guide members, reciprocatoryejection devices arranged near the elevation of said lowerends of theguide members and operating substantially at right angles thereto, eachejection device comprising a pair of substantially parallel longitudinalextensions movable transversely of opposite sides of the guide members,one extension of each ejection device being longer than the otherextension and adapted to project forwardly of the vertical guide memberwhen the ejection devices are in ejecting position, and a transverseextension secured to the forward end of each longer extension andarranged forwardly of the corresponding vertical guide member, wherebythe transverse extension is arranged close to the forward side of theguide member near its lower end when the ejection devices are in aretracted position.

No references cited.

